The use of biological systems or materials to recover valuable resources from the recycling stream is an admirable objective. However, I'd predict they won't be adopted until they offer a high percentage recovery rate. In parallel, I suggest redoubling the effort to develop a closed loop recovery process. Even if the materials used to recover the gold are toxic, if they are reused and not released into the environment then the result may prove quite acceptable.

Well yes and no, it's carbon for sure but not the black carbon type instead it looks like pulverised glass because it's still in a crystaline form. Diamonds are more valuable the larger and more perfect they are because large perfect diamonds are rare. I've bought small diamonds retail for $15 because they are common. The diamond I'm talking about is slivers of pure crystaline diamond only 0.1mm thick (or less) which after forceful removal from a transistor would be like sandpaper grit which is what some diamond dust is used for.

>> Agree on corn...interesting trade-off on mushrooms...the best solutionis stop consuming, or make products last longer...like they used to be...Kris

Durability is not a really good business model. You can be out of business if there are no repeat customers. Just have optimality in the game. It is a difficult decision but in fairness to capitalism, it makes sense

>> As such, there is the possibility that while working to save the environment by using non-toxic disposal methods they may actually end up harming the environment by using up too much of the natural resources for the process.

Exactly. It is like using corn to fuel car via ethanol. Farmers now pure more chemicals like herbicides and pesticides to grow more corn. You are displacing fuel but you are making mess of the farmlands. Which one is better ?- it all depends where you get your paycheck!